In previous HuffPost reporting, Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at New York City's Schwarzman Animal Medical Center said that plaque buildup on your pup's pearly whites can lead to issues like gum disease, tooth loss or decay and chronic pain. Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with mobile pet service The Vets, continued that poor dental health in dogs can cause "bacteria entering the bloodstream from the mouth," potentially leading to issues like heart and kidney disease.